This week we hear Cheyenne Darcy Amaya’s first year story.
Cheyenne sets the perfect example for incoming students with her outgoing personality and willingness to engage in campus activities.
It isn’t easy to jump in and get involved in a new community, but Cheyenne shows us it is possible with persistence and dedication.
“As a freshman I went to all the campus events to connect to the community. I remain involved because I enjoy communicating, and I am very outgoing. The more I look back at my freshman year, I recognize that I was becoming more and more myself. It was a great year and if I could rewind time and re-live it again I would.
I played on the Southern Vermont Women’s Basketball Team during my freshman year. I had never played on a sports team before so could you imagine how scared I was. Though fearful, I craved an opportunity to get out of my comfort zone athletically. It was worth it! I wish I could play this year, too. But with all the things I am involved in this year I don’t have time.
Last year I attended Alternative Spring Break, a program in which students donate their Spring Break to give back to a community. I went to Reading, Pennsylvania with five other Southern Vermont College students and two Resident Directors. We helped Habitat of Humanity and the Opportunity House. I recall cooking breakfast or lunch for Opportunity House and spending the other two days of that week building a house with Habitat of Humanity. It was rewarding to use my Spring Break to help others.
At the end of my freshman year I signed up to be an Orientation Leader because I wanted to help first-year students adjust to college life. I knew exactly what it was like to be in the shoes of a freshman.”
Cheyenne found her place at SVC through basketball and helping others, how did you find yours?